The Spotter: Dig or Die — patch notes and updates
Stored observation / content update:
Dated developer announcements recorded from Steam. Open the source for the complete update.
| Update | Date | Excerpt / source |
|---|---|---|
| 📱⛏️ The Spotter: Dig or Die is Now Available on iOS & Android! | 2026-10-27 | Hello, Spotters!We have some exciting news: The Spotter: Dig or Die is officially available on iOS and Android!You can now dig by day, defend by night, and try to keep the worst gas station in Nevada standing wherever you go.Descend underground, gather resources and artifacts, upgrade your equipment and defenses, then race back to the surface before the mutant hordes arrive.For those of you who have already played on PC, thank you for being part of the journey! We're incredibly happy to bring the game to mobile and let even more players enter the wasteland.🍎 App Store🤖 Google PlaySee you underground!Dig by day! Fight by night!Looking for mo |
| The Spotter is heading to Barcelona! ⛏️ | 2026-10-06 | Apparently, the mutants are coming with us. Sorry, Barcelona :)The Spotter will be playable at SAGA Barcelona Game Fest from October 9–11, where you’ll find the Forklift Interactive team at booth G01-9.Stop by to dig, upgrade and defend your gas station in The Spotter, then stick around to try the other games we’re bringing with us:Prospice: Anomalous Logistics — drive across hostile terrain, manage your supplies and explore a mysterious island shaped by the remains of dead gods.Gate Guard Simulator — check documents, search suspicious visitors and decide who gets into your medieval stronghold.Space Scum — a tactical turn-based RPG where you |
| We Heard Your Feedback: Progression Improvements Are Now Live! | 2026-07-02 | Hello everyone! We’ve been carefully reading your feedback after the latest update, especially the negative reviews and comments about progression, item search, and lack of clear guidance. We understand the main issue: some required items are too hard to find, and in several cases the game does not explain clearly enough where players should go next or what they should be looking for. This can make progression feel confusing instead of exciting, especially in the later stages of the game. Today’s patch is focused on improving this experience. We will continue reading your feedback and improving the update step by step. Thank you to everyone w |
| 💰 Welcome to Las Veganos! | 2026-06-25 | 🚨 Update 1.1 is NOW LIVE!The wait is over. Our biggest update so far has officially arrived on the main branch!This update completely changes the way you progress through the game and brings a huge amount of new content to explore.Here's what's waiting for you:🏙️ Las VeganosA brand new city packed with NPCs, secrets, dangerous enemies, a marketplace, hidden artifacts, breakable loot crates, cosmetics, and plenty of places to explore.🔧 Completely Reworked ProgressionUnlocking new tiers is no longer just about grinding resources. You'll now need to discover special components hidden throughout the world, making exploration a core part of pro |
| Play Update 1.1 Early on the Experimental Branch! | 2026-06-08 | Hello, spotters! Update 1.1 is now available in the Experimental Branch on Steam. This has turned into a truly massive update, bringing a huge amount of new content, mechanics, improvements, and fixes to the game. While we've already completed extensive internal testing and haven't encountered any critical issues on our end, a release of this size needs as much real-world testing as possible before it moves to the main branch.That's why we're opening the Experimental Branch to everyone who wants to jump in early, explore the new content, and help us put the finishing touches on the update.You can find the full patch notes below.What you need |
| DEV BLOG #2 | 2026-05-25 | We’ve continued actively expanding the world of the game, and today we want to share more details about the new mechanics, locations, improvements, and content the team has been working on over the past month. This is one of the biggest updates so far, and it significantly changes the feeling of progression, exploration, and endgame content. A New Approach to Repairing the ReceiverThe Receiver is no longer unlocked simply by spending resources.Players will need to truly explore the world in order to restore it. Repairing it will require special parts scattered across different locations. Some are hidden behind puzzles, others are tied to ques |
| 🚀 A Big Update Is Coming This May | 2026-05-02 | 🚨 Hello Spotters! 🚨We’ve been a bit quieter lately, but all our focus has been on the major May patch. Work hasn’t stopped for a single day.We’ve already spent about three weeks on this update, and there are roughly three more weeks to go.This patch will bring a significant expansion of the content we talked about in the latest devblog. Even if you’ve already completed the game, there will be a reason to come back and play it again.We’re here. We’re working.Buckle up! 🚀 |
| ⚠️ UPDATE 1.0.5 is now available on Steam | 2026-04-21 | ⚠️ UPDATE 1.0.5 is now available on Steam This update delivers a major performance overhaul with global map optimization and critical fixes for save data and achievements. This update also refines core gameplay mechanics, adds automated crash reporting, and introduces tactical improvements like AI-powered turret defense against UFOs.Data Safety: Fixed a critical issue where save files could be corrupted or deleted under certain conditions.Global Optimization: Conducted a full revision of the entire map, significantly reducing the load on both CPU and GPU.Automated Crash Reports: Added a crash reporting system — error reports and game crashes |
| UPDATE 1.0.4.4 is now available on Steam | 2026-04-14 | We continue to actively work on the game and carefully read your feedback. Thank you for helping us make it better. In this update, we focused on the core gameplay feel: reworked stamina, improved progression, and removed a number of frustrating issues.Stamina Rebalance: A complete overhaul of the stamina system (based on yesterday’s discussion).Motion Sickness Fixes: Added toggles to disable weapon and camera sway. Updated the ground shader to help players better distinguish between floor and ceiling.Escape Issue: Fixed an issue where players could not exit the terminal using the Escape key.Economy: We increased the amount of gold in certain |
| DEV BLOG #1 | 2026-04-14 | Greetings, miners! It’s been nearly a week since launch, and we have officially surpassed 4,000 concurrent players. This is entirely your achievement! We’ve been spending a lot of time analyzing Steam reviews and Discord discussions. This launch has provided us with a massive amount of data, and today we want to have an honest conversation about the future direction of the game.Fixing the Balance: From Grind to Exploration We want to dedicate this section to a deep dive into game balance. The main takeaway from your feedback is that the game’s pacing noticeably "stalls" at Tier 3. We’ve seen that from this stage onward, progression turns into |
| UPDATE 1.0.4.3 and some news from us! | 2026-04-11 | Hello Spotters! Welcome UPDATE 1.0.4.3 and some news from us.This release week has been incredibly intense and exciting for us, even if a bit sleepless. Your support inspires us to keep making the game better and more fun! Starting next week, we begin work on a content patch, so get ready to play through the game again, haha.We’ve reviewed your feedback and can confirm that you’ll be able to travel to the city of LAS VEGANOS by car and explore it on foot. What exactly you’ll be doing there will remain a mystery for now. Repairing the receiver will now require not only resources but also repair parts, which you’ll need to find or earn by compl |
| ⚠️ UPDATE 1.0.4 is now live! | 2026-04-09 | ⚠️ UPDATE 1.0.4 is now availableTechnical optimization and critical bug fixesIn this update, we implemented a forced data refresh system on load. Now all balance changes are applied correctly both when starting a “New Game” and when loading existing saves.Critical fixes and navigationSpawn point: Fixed an issue where the player could spawn at a random location on the map. You will now always spawn near your bed when loading.Save safety: Fixed a problem where the player could get locked behind a door in the “Horror” zone after loading.Door passwords: Fixed a bug where the bunker entrance door password would reset after player death.Hints: Adde |
| ⚠️ Critical HOTFIX for 1.0.3 is live! ⚠️ | 2026-04-08 | ⚠️ Critical HOTFIX for 1.0.3 is now live!Weapon overheating was not decreasing, fixed Note: If you still have this issue, it’s 100% caused by old cached game data. There are a few ways to fix it: make sure you have downloaded the hotfix, try purchasing any upgrade in the terminal, and if that doesn’t help, reinstalling the game will definitely resolve it. |
| ⚠️ Small Update 1.0.3 is now live | 2026-04-08 | ⚠️Small Update 1.0.3 is now liveNavigation Improvements & Gameplay FixesNavigation & WorldWorld Hints: We’ve added notes at key points of interest. These notes will help you orient yourself and provide guidance on which direction to head next.Bunker Lid: Removed the non-functional handle hole on the bunker lid. This element previously misled many players and caused confusion when trying to open the passage.Equipment & GadgetsResource Vacuum: Fixed a bug with the vacuum upgrade. It should now correctly pull in and pick up all types of items.Tesla Cannon: Resolved an issue where the Tesla Cannon was not functioning correctly when paired with th |
| ⚠️ PATCH 1.0.2 is live! | 2026-04-08 | ⚠️ PATCH 1.0.2 is live!Important announcement and first fixesFriends, we’re thrilled! Together, we’ve reached 3,500 concurrent players. Thank you so much for your engagement and incredible support on launch day!We already have big plans for the game’s future, but this month will be fully dedicated to bug fixing and balance polishing, so that each of you can fully enjoy what’s already there. As soon as we’re confident the game runs smoothly and players are satisfied, we’ll release a detailed devblog outlining our future plans.We’re also open to your ideas! Share your suggestions in the community, we’ll review each of them as a potential additi |
| ⚠️ PATCH 1.0.1 is live! | 2026-04-07 | ⚠️ PATCH 1.0.1 is live!Fixed an issue where your own drone could destroy your baseAdded a save file check: the game now detects demo saves and prevents launching the full game from themThe easiest difficulty level is now even easierYou can now exit the turret using the B button on a controllerReduced energy consumption for drills, so you’ll need to use the refrigerator less often✨ Please restart Steam to update the gameWe continue working on further improvements and polishing.We would be very grateful if you leave a review on Steam, it’s very important to us and helps us a lot. Cheers ❤️ |
| ⚠️ Important Notice – Crash Issue on New Intel Core Ultra CPUs (NPU) | 2026-04-07 | Hey everyone!We’ve identified a crash issue affecting players using new-generation CPUs with NPU (Neural Processing Unit).❗ What’s happeningIf your processor includes an NPU (Intel AI Boost), our game may crash on launch.This is due to incompatibility with Unreal Engine 5.7, as this technology is still very new. 🛠 Temporary workaroundTo play the game, please disable the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) in your system settings. How-To FIX: Right click START MENU button bottom left, choose Device Manager. Go to Neural Processors section , right click the Intel (R) AI Boost object, and choose disable. Now Reboot to take effect. 🔍 Affected CPUs (ex |
| ⚠️ If You Played the Demo, Please Start a New Game! | 2026-04-07 | 🚨 Critical Save Issue 🚨We’ve identified a critical bug affecting players who previously played the demo version of the game.If you purchased the full version, your old demo save may still be present. Continuing the game using this save can lead to multiple serious bugs and broken gameplay.❗ Please DO NOT load or continue from your demo save!To avoid issues, you must start a New Game to properly overwrite the old save file.We are actively working right now to resolve this issue for new players.Thank you for your understanding and support!For urgent questions, join our Discord or comment below 💛Cheers!🐾The Puppyroar Team |
| Doomsday Has Arrived. The Spotter Is Out Now. | 2026-04-07 | 🚨 Doomsday Has Arrived. The Spotter Is Out Now.It’s time.After everything you’ve seen, played, and tested, The Spotter: Dig or Die is officially live on Steam. Doomsday is here, and the gas station is no longer just your responsibility in theory. It’s yours now for real.From this moment on, it’s up to you to hold the line.You’ll dig deep during the day, chasing resources, upgrades, and that one more risky run that always seems like a good idea at the time. And when night falls, you’ll defend what you’ve built against waves of mutants that absolutely do not care about your plans. Somewhere in between, you’ll try to repair the receiver and res |
| 🔎 Release Date Reveal! | 2026-03-26 | 🔎 We’ve Been Waiting for This Too...Not just you. For weeks, we’ve been seeing your messages, comments, and questions about the release date everywhere. And every single time, we wanted to answer. Really. But we had to hold it back just a little longer, even when it was getting harder and harder not to 😅✨ Now We Can Finally Share It!We’re incredibly happy to finally be at this point. The release is very close! It honestly feels a bit surreal to say that out loud and to share this moment with all of you after everything that’s happened along the way.Take a closer look at the new trailer below… the date is in there 👇🧤 Thank YouThis game did |
| Get your shovels ready, guys! | 2026-03-21 | Cheers!🐾The Puppyroar Team |
| Developer Blog #2 | 2026-03-17 | Greetings, Spotters!It’s been exactly one month since the launch of our demo, and the results have left us absolutely speechless. We knew that working in the mines wouldn't be easy, but we didn't expect our community to be so united and active.Some statistics that shocked us:35,000 unique players descended into the depths in just one month.We’ve officially crossed the 50,000 Wishlists mark! This is a huge milestone for our small team, and we can't thank you enough.A 95% Positive Rating, this is your trust rating, which we value above all else.2,000 completed feedback forms. Friends, this is incredible! More than 5% of you didn’t just play, yo |
| ⚠️ Mutant Stuck HOTFIX 0.9.6.2 | 2026-03-14 | Hello Spotters!⚠️⚠️⚠️We have deployed a quick HOTFIX (v0.9.6.2) for yesterday's DEMO update, aimed at fixing an issue that caused mutants to get stuck during the waves. Please restart Steam and update the game.We sincerely apologize for the inconveniences this may have caused.Thank you for flagging this issue.Patch v0.9.6.1 for DEMO:🛠️ Fixes:Fixed issue with “ESC” key when in upgrade terminal.Minor localization improvements.Fixed effect stacking from the hookah.📫 General Improvements and QoL Adjustments:Added button to load from Manual save after base destruction.Added sensitivity threshold for gamepads. This should prevent UI hints from fl |
| PATCH 1.0.6 is live on Steam DEMO version. | 2026-03-03 | PATCH 1.0.6 is live on Steam DEMO version. Fixes: Fixed texture bug on lamp above the digging areaFixed sound loudness in the cut-scene (Audio settings now also have a dedicated setting for cut-scene volume)Fixed wrong icon on prickly pear buff indicatorFixed minor missing localizationsFixed an issue where the “Not Enough Energy” notification did not trigger correctly while holding the dig button.General Improvements and QoL Adjustments: Reworked and polished start cut-sceneAdjusted the concrete slab in-front of the gas station entrance so it wont stumble the playerAdjusted text in the tutorial right after using the detector hinting to be car |
| SMALL PATCH 1.0.5.1 is live on Steam DEMO version. | 2026-02-25 | ⚠️ PATCH 1.0.5.1 is live on Steam DEMO version.🛠️ Fixes:Fixed a possible way to be able to stay locked out of the garageFixed disappearing bunker handle after saving and loading the gameFixed reappearing garage/cage lock after saving and loading the gameFixed fireplace sounds that sometimes could be heard during the day📫 General Improvements and QoL Adjustments:Potentially resolved a copyright-related issue by replacing the in-game musicReduced chance of the fart sound when jumpingDemo disclaimer UI reworkedPlease restart Steam to update the game.We continue working on further improvements and polishing.Cheers! |
| PATCH 1.0.5 is live on Steam DEMO version. | 2026-02-24 | PATCH 1.0.5 is live on Steam DEMO version. Fixes: Fixed FPS drops caused by mirrors by optimizing reflection renderingFixed an issue where the detector could not be picked upFixed an issue where the terminal would not close properly when pressing EscFixed a bug in the mini-game where barrel collision would not disappearGeneral Improvements and QoL Adjustments: It is no longer possible to pause the game during cutscenesAdded an option in the audio settings to disable gross sounds (farting and burping)Localized some notes textsReplaced several underground loot itemsUpdated ranged mutant to add a visual distinctionImproved lighting in certain ar |
| Demo Speedrun Challenge During Steam Demo Festival | 2026-02-23 | 🏁 Demo Speedrun Challenge During Steam Demo Festival From February 23 to March 2, during the Steam Demo Festival, we are launching a speedrun challenge for our demo. Your goal is simple — complete the demo and finish all required objectives faster than anyone else. 🎯 Required objectives (must be completed for your run to qualify): Reach Tier 2 technologies (it’s not necessary to unlock all the upgrades.)Find and activate the first artifactPrevent Frodo the dog from being kidnapped (if the UFO didn’t show up, you got lucky)Open the garage with the carOnly runs that complete all listed objectives will be considered valid. 🏆 Rewards: 🥇 1st p |
| 🚨 IT’S LIVE. THE SPOTTER DEMO IS OUT NOW! | 2026-02-19 | 🚨 DEMO LAUNCHED. GO HOLD THE LINE!That’s it. The demo is officially live.You can jump in right now, start digging, start defending, and see how long your gas station survives the nightly raids.⭐ Your Review Matters Right NowIf you enjoy your time with the demo, please consider leaving a Steam review after your first session.Early reviews matter more than most people realize. They help the demo gain visibility, reach new players, and give indie teams like ours a real chance to grow during launch moments like this. Even a short review written today can make a big difference for us. And remember, you can always edit or update your review later |
| 🚨 The Spotter Demo Drops This Thursday | 2026-02-18 | 🚨 The Spotter Demo Drops This Thursday. Mark Your Calendars!Spotters, it’s almost time...The Spotter's brand new demo goes live this Thursday, and we want you there from the very first minute. This is a big milestone for the team and the beginning of a new phase where your feedback helps shape what comes next.Dig deep. Build smart. Defend hard.⭐ How you can support the launchDemo launches are huge for indie teams, and your support really makes a difference, so please:Play the demo when it goes live;Leave a Steam review about your coolest moments;Give us all your thoughts for improvements and additions in the Feedback Survey;Wishlist the game |
| Playtest Completed | 2026-02-12 | Hello Spotters!We are back with a quick post-playtest update for you! First of all, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who played and shared their feedback. We truly value it!A short summary:A total of 1,400 players participated. For our small team, this is a very good result. We received a lot of valuable input, and it truly helps us improve the game.The statistics are strong: the median time played was 49 minutes, while the average demo completion time is around 40 minutes. That’s a great level of engagement.We are carefully reviewing all the feedback and we have already implemented a number of changes. Below is a list of updates m |